Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCT 97-16A; Kelly Ranch; Tentative Map (CT) (4)I I I I I I • Natural Habitat Revegetation Program • Kelly Ranch "Core Area" I • Rev. May 14, 2001 I • Prepared for: Kelly Land Company c/o Hillman Properties 1 2011 Palomar Airport Road Suite 206 Carlsbad, California I Prepared by: - PLANNING SYSTEMS J Greg Evans, Landscape Architect LA #3900 1530 Faraday Avenue, Suite 100 _ Carlsbad, CA 92008 I I I Natural Habitat | Revegetation Program Kelly Ranch "Core Area" 1.0 INTRODUCTIONI I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I Kelly Ranch is a largely undeveloped 432.4 acre property in the City of Carlsbad, San Diego County, California (Exhibit 1). The "Core Area" of Kelly ranch, including all areas to be impacted by the proposed project, totals 154.85 acres (Exhibit 2). A development project is proposed that involves the subdivision and development of the Core Area for residential uses (Exhibit 3). The resulting project will impact natural vegetation occurring on the site, requiring mitigation measures including the revegetation of two natural plant communities, as determined by the "Biological Assessment, Kelly Ranch Core Area", Planning Systems, May 10,1999. This plan provides a conceptual framework for the revegetation construction documents, installation procedures, maintenance, and monitoring required to fully establish the required native plant communities on-site. Project related impacts to natural vegetation will result from grading activity, infrastructure improvements on-site, remedial grading during the construction phase, and fuel modification zone establishment and maintenance. The project also requires infrastructure off-site, including two roads and two water lines. These off-site improvements are included in total acreage, acreage impacted, and acreage preserved calculations (see table 1). This Natural Habitat Revegetation Program proposes the on-site installation, maintenance, and monitoring of Coastal Sage Scrub and Southern Maritime Chaparral. The proposed planting includes installation of container plants and hydroseeding, supported by a fully automatic irrigation system. Plant installation will be followed by five years of monitoring and maintenance. Revegetation Program Objectives 1) To offset the loss of 18.26 acres of Coastal sage scrub (CSS) habitat by: a) preservation of 40.11 acres of CSS, b) revegetation of 9.28 acres of CSS, c) revegetation of 4.90 acres of CSS (for fire suppression), a ratio of preservation / revegetation : impacts = 2.97:1 (including fire suppression Section 3). 2) To offset the loss of 5.11 acres of Southern Maritime Chaparral (SMC) habitat by: a) preservation of 7.40 acres of SMC, b) revegetation of 2.99 acres of SMC, a ratio of preservation / revegetation : impacts =2.03:1 (exclusive of fire suppression). Kelly Ranch Core Area Natural Habitat Revegetation Program 1 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I 3) To restore functioning coastal sage scrub and Southern maritime chaparral that is self-sustaining over time and capable of supporting native plant and animal species. 4) To restore native habitat that is ecologically appropriate to the site. 5) To insure to proper establishment of CSS and SMC through the implementation of a five year monitoring and maintenance program. The following table provides summary information for existing plant community quantities, project impacts, areas to remain undisturbed(and preserved as open space), proposed revegetation and the ratio of project impacts to preservation / revegetation. Existing habitat area quantities and base mapping provided herein are derived form "Final supplemental Environmental Impact Report (EIR 98-05) for the Kelly Ranch General plan Amendment and "Core Area" Subdivision, A. D. Henshaw Associates, January 15,1999". Table 1 Vegetation Impacts / Preservation / Revegetation Vegetation Community Coastal Sage Scrub Dist. Coastal Sage Baccharis scrub So. Maritime Chap'l Native Grasslands Dist Native g'lands Detention Basin Mule Fat Scrub Riparian Herb Non-native Grasslands Agriculture/Developed Disturbed Ruderal TOTAL Existing Total (acres) 58.37 12.51 0.81 0.60 0.69 21.99 51.98 4.55 3.35 154.85 Impacts Impacted (includes fire suppression ) (acres) 18.26 5.11 0.39 0 0 19.71 51.65 2.72 3.35 101.19 Preserved /Revegetated Preserved (acres) 40.11 7.40 0.42 0.60 0.69 0* 0* 0* 0 49.22 Revegetated (acres) 9.28** (4.90 fire sup'n)** 2.99* 0 0 0 0 0 0 17.17** Total Preserve\ Reveg. (acres) 54.29 10.39 0.42 0.60 0.69 0 0 0 0 66.39 Ratio Preserve : Impacts (sensitive habitat only) 2.97 : 1 2.03 : 1 1.08 : 1 Source: Merkel & Associates, "Kelly Ranch Biological Constraints Analysis," 5/20/98. * Revegetation of disturbed, non-native species is a California Coastal Commission condition. ** Fire Suppression: Section 3 revegetation = 4.90 acres, Section 1-2 revegetation = 3.91 acres for a Grand Total of 21.08 acres of revegetation. Kelly Ranch Core Area Natural Habitat Revegetation Program I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I Oceanside * Vista Ocean B-acI San Diego f'^ U'CoronadoV, o,c;o 'i/V? Imperial Beach SOURCE: San Diego Association of Governments NO DATE Regional MapA.D.Hinshaw Associates Kelly Ranch Core Area Natural Habitat Revegetation Program \-v\\ \ ,- 'x'fesSft^:^•~-;\:;i 00^5^' SOURCE: USGS Quad Maps - San Luis Rey & Encinitas DATE: 1975 A.D.Hinshaw Associates Vicinity Map Exhibit 2 REVISED: PLANNING SYSTEMS, APRIL 15. 1999 Kelly Ranch Core Area Natural Habitat Revegetation Program LJLJ QQ ES121LJJO: Q-< KSgto2 cc y wgUJ>uj 2°- UJOzcocco$<Q-o:O£<0- > UJ <W C/3 U_ I1 O,Q UJ;^w LU UJOCCCEa. n. i: en C. T- u .C UJ Z> Ho <LO Q CO XLU C_ra Q. a>4-1 CO oow V)< w r^if Q < Kelly Ranch Core Area Natural Habitat Revegetation Program tra.< tn UJ ^ w o zz Exhibit 3 REVEGETATION PLAN REVISED IN SATISFACTION OF CALIFORNIA COASTAL COMMISSION REQUIREMENTS COASTAL SAGE SCRUB REvEGETATION op^ SPACE DESCRIPTION 0.18 ACRES OF EXISTING VEGETATIONALLOTTED AS AREA E MITIGATION. OPEN SPACE PRESERVE BOUNPART Area tt m%ffl£& R\ R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 R7 R8 R9 RIO Rll R12 R13 R14 R15 TDTAL ' Habitat Revegetated CSS (n/e facing) CSS (s/w facing) CSS (n/e facing) CSS (n/efacing) CSS Cn/efaclng) CSS (s/w facing) CSS (n/e facing) CSS (n/e facing) CSS (n/e facing) CSS (n/e facing) CSS (s/w facing) CSS (s/w facing) CSS (s/w facing) CSS (s/w facing) CSS (s/w facing) Size (acres) 1.34 1.51 1.17 0.08 0.08 0.25 0,14 0.23 0.31 0.84 0.65 1.72 0.10 0.29 0.57 9.28 THE "CORE AREA" OF KELLY RANCH INCLUDING NECESSARY OFF-SITE IMPROVEMENTS, AND EXCLUDING PREVIOUSLY PERMITTED AREAS, EQUALS 154.85 ACRES. HABITAT PROPOSED TO REMAIN UNDISTURBED IN THE "CORE AREA" TOTALS APPROXIMATELY 49.22 ACRES. UPLAND HABITAT TO BE REVEGETATED TOTALS II. n ACRES. TOTAL ACREAGE TO BE OFFERED FOR DEDICATION AS OPEN SPACE EQUALS 66.39 ACRES. SO. MARITIME CHAPARRAL REVESSTATION Area * taaoKaSIS^ R16 R17 R18 R19 R20 R21 R22 R23 TDTAL Habitat Revegetated SMC Revegetation SMC Revegetation SMC Revegetation SMC Revegetation SMC Reveoetatlon SMC Revege-ta-tion SMC Revegetation SMC Revegetation Size (acres) 0.64 0.90 1.43 0.04 0,28 0.04 0,35 0.03 3.71 FIRE SUPPRESSION REVESETATICN • Swstfen 3 Area tt Habitat Size Revegetated (acres) | | Fl F2 F3 F4 F5 F6 F7 F8 F9 F10 TOTAL Fire Sup. Fire Sup. Fire Sup. Fire Sup. Fire Sup. Fire Sup. Fire Sup. Fire Sup. Fire Sup. Fire Sup. Section 3 Section 3 Section 3 Section 3 Section 3 Section 3 Section 3 Section 3 Section 3 Section 3 0.12 0.21 0.49 1.45 0.80 0.23 0.89 0.31 0,15 0.25 4.90 FIRE SUPPRESSION REVEGETATION - Saetron 1-2 Planted with low fuel, low water, species. Fire Sue, Section 1-2 TOTAL 3.91 SCALE: - I" = NORTH ° 75 150 300 FT Rev. May II, 200\ Rev. July 30, B33 May 4, I939 AREA TO REMAIN UNDISTURBED CCS COASTAL SAGE SCRUB DSMC DIST. SO. MARITIME CHAPARRAL DPG DIST. PERENNIAL GRASSLAND DCSS DIST. COASTAL SAGE SCB. SMC SOUTHERN MARITIME CHAP. PQ PERENNIAL GRASSLAND PLANNING AREA E NOT A PART "CORE" AREAS DISTURBED DURING GRADING OF AREA E HAVE BEEN MITIGATED FOR, AND NOW EXIST AS COASTAL SAGE SCRUB REVEGETATION. CALLAUAN PARCEL NOT A PART EROSION CONTROLPLANTING KELLY RANCH PROPERTY UNE OFF-SITE EROSION CONTROLPLANTING DUE TO FARADAT ROAD CONSTRUCTION OFF-SITE REMEDIAL GRADING REQUIRED (EROSION CONTROLPLANTING)PROPOSED WATER EASEMENTREVEGETATION PS. -3*1338 FILE NAME; 638-r»vla&2>].DWO I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I 2.0 REVEGETATION PROGRAM The intent of this Revegetation Program is to specify improvements which introduce and provide for the establishment of native plant species which closely reflect the biological character of adjacent existing native plant vegetation. The ultimate goal of the effort is to successfully revegetate primarily manufactured slopes with coastal sage scrub or southern maritime chaparral vegetation similar to local native vegetation. This Revegetation Program is developed based upon site observations of adjacent native habitats. Previous experiences with coastal sage scrub revegetation and Southern maritime chaparral revegetation provides an additional basis for this plan. Existing and proposed site conditions have been assessed for suitability and it is expected that coastal sage scrub and southern maritime chaparral habitat may become established in the time frame provided for in the performance standards (a period of five years). This revegetation program includes provision of irrigation (as a temporary aid to the establishment of plantings,) site preparation, invasive exotic weed control, seed and container plantings, and a monitoring program. One component of this program provides for the establishment of baseline inventories for existing vegetation adjacent to designated revegetation areas, as a model for species composition. This program includes a provision for the adjustment of plant species composition after inventories are performed. Coastal sage scrub and southern maritime chaparral is found adjacent to the revegetation sites. All proposed enhancement areas are contiguous to like habitat. The process of modeling each habitat enhancement area's plant composition on the baseline of an adjacent area will result in revegetation that closely resembles local species composition. It is anticipated that the biggest obstacle to the successful revegetation of these communities will be the control of invasive exotic weed and grass species within and surrounding the revegetation site. The exotic species will compete with the native revegetation until they are well established. STAKING OF REVEGETATION AREA LIMITS Initial revegetation activity shall involve staking the limits of the revegetation areas with wooden lathe and flagging tape to differentiate work zones from existing vegetation to be protected in place. If prior to or during installation the revegetation monitor determines a need, then orange snow fencing will be installed as necessary to further protect existing habitat from accidental disturbance. SITE PREPARATION Site preparation for revegetation areas will be provided prior to other operations. Scarification of the soil, weed eradication and erosion control are included in site preparation. Note that fertilizers are included as part of the various hydroseed mixes. Kelly Ranch Core Area Natural Habitat Revegetation Program I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I SCARIFICATION The final soil surface of all areas to be revegetated shall be left in a rough condition. The intent is to provide small ledges, cracks and crevices for seeds to lodge and to reduce erosion. These depressions and ledges will provide shelter for small seedlings and increase water infiltration and retention and root penetration. The landscape architect shall verify that scarification of revegetation areas with a tracked vehicle has occurred during final grading of these areas. If not existing, equipment shall be run up and down the slope vertically to provide small horizontal ledges for the seedbed. EROSION CONTROL Provide erosion control (hay or gravel bales) as indicated on the engineers erosion control plans or as directed by the Landscape Architect. SOIL PREPARATION Soil analysis will be performed for the revegetation areas, conforming to standards acceptable to the City of Carlsbad prior to revegetation site planting. If soil tests indicate that unacceptable conditions such as high salts or poor infiltration occur in any revegetation areas, those areas will be abandoned as revegetation sites. As-built construction drawings approved by the City of Carlsbad will document revegetation area configuration changes as required by unacceptable soil conditions discovered in the field. WEED ERADICATION Weed eradication will be provided during site preparation where existing site conditions indicate an extreme and intensive problem. Weed eradication shall be performed as a maintenance item for all revegetation areas. Isolated or dense patches of perennial weeds may be targeted for herbicide treatment as necessary. REVEGETATION PLANTING A combination of container planting and seeding are proposed to provide the breath of species representative of CSS and SMC, with woody plant types generally planted and herbaceous types seeded. Component species and planting rates are based upon percentage goals aimed at creating the following range of species mix: Coastal Sage Scrub Revegetation Area Composition 15%-25% Artemisia californica, Coastal sagebrush 15%-20% Encetia californica, Coastal Daisy 5-10% Salvia mellifera, Black sage 25-40% Other woody shrubs 15-20% Gaps of bare ground or herbaceous plant materials Southern Maritime Chaparral Revegetation Area Components 15-25% Adenostema fasciculatum, Chamise 15-25% Ceanothus verrucossus, Coast White Lilac 5-10% Salvia mellifera, Black sage 25-40% Other woody shrubs 15-30% Gaps of bare ground or herbaceous plant materials Kelly Ranch Core Area Natural Habitat Revegetation Program 8 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I These percentages vary somewhat from area to area to be generally consistent with observations of current composition of existing habitat near the revegetation area. All the species listed in the hydroseed and container planting lists were either identified on site or are listed in the previous botanical surveys, with the exception of non-native and other native annual herbaceous species utilized as cover crops during the establishment period. Prior to implementation of this program, baseline inventories for existing vegetation adjacent to the habitat enhancement sites will the made. Accepted procedures such as the California Native Plant Society's point intercept method will be utilized by the Landscape Architect to provide the baselines. The plant species identified and composition baselines will become models for species composition of adjacent habitat enhancement areas. The composition goals and specific species indicated in this plan will be adjusted after baseline inventories are complete. The total number of plantings per acre will remain unchanged. Container materials will be installed in all revegetation areas. The quantities and species of container materials will be calculated from baseline inventories, or as directed by the project biologist prior to construction document finalization. The following tables provide hydroseed mixes suggested for each planting area. MIX A: COASTAL SAGE SCRUB (EAST AND NORTH FACING) % Pur/Germ LBS/ACRE SPECIES COMMON NAME 15 50 2 Artemisia californica 2 40 3 Baccharis pit spp consanguinea 95 80 2 Bromus carinatus 40 60 2 Encelia californica 10 65 2 Eriogonum fasciculatum 10 25 2 Gnaphalium californicum 20 40 2 Isocoma m. var. vernoides 90 60 3 Lotus scoparius 98 80 3 Lupinus bicolor 5 70 0.5 Mimulus aurantiacus 70 60 2 Nessella pulchra 98 75 20 Plantago insularis 85 50 1 Salvia mellifera SAGEBRUSH CHAPARRAL BROOM CALIFORNIA BROME BUSH SUNFLOWER CALIF. BUCKWHEAT CALIF. EVERLASTING GOLDENBUSH DEERWEED PIGMY-LEAF LUPINE STICKY MONKEY FLOWER PURPLE NEEDLE GRASS Plantago BLACK SAGE 44.5 TOTAL POUNDS PER ACRE MIX B: COASTAL SAGE SCRUB (WEST AND SOUTH FACING) % Pur/Germ LBS/ACRE SPECIES COMMON NAME 15 50 2 Artemisia californica 2 40 1 Baccharis pit spp consanguinea 40 60 3 Encelia californica 10 65 2 Eriogonum fasciculatum 10 25 2 Gnaphalium californicum 20 40 2 Isocoma m. var. vernoides 90 60 3 Lotus scoparius 98 80 3 Lupinus bicolor 5 70 0.5 Mimulus aurantiacus 70 60 2 Nessella pulchra 98 75 20 Plantago insularis 85 50 2.5 Salvia mellifera SAGEBRUSH CHAPARRAL BROOM BUSH SUNFLOWER CALIF. BUCKWHEAT CALIF. EVERLASTING GOLDENBUSH DEERWEED PIGMY-LEAF LUPINE STICKY MONKEY FLOWER PURPLE NEEDLE GRASS Plantago BLACK SAGE 43.0 TOTAL POUNDS PER ACRE Kelly Ranch Core Area Natural Habitat Revegetation Program I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I MIX C: COASTAL SAGE SCRUB FIRE SUPPRESSION SECTION 3 % Pur/Germ LBS/ACRE 98 70 2 40 40 60 10 25 20 40 20 40 90 60 98 80 5 70 70 60 98 75 MIXD: Pur/Germ 98 70 15 60 95 80 15 20 20 40 75 80 40 60 98 80 5 70 85 70 60 98 75 85 50 0.5 1 3 2 3 2 3 3 0.5 2 20 40.0 TO SOUTHERN LBS/ACRE 0.5 1 2 2 2 2 3 3 0.5 3 2 20 1 SPECIES Achillea millefolium Baccharis pil spp consanguinea Encelia califomica Gnaphalium californicum Harzardia squarrosa Isocoma . var. vernoides Lotus scoparius Lupinus bicolor Mimulus aurantiacus Nessella pulchra Plantago insularis TAL P6UNDS PER ACRE COMMON NAME YARROW CHAPARRAL BROOM BUSH SUNFLOWER CALIF. EVERLASTING SAW-TOOTH GOLDENBUSH GOLDENBUSH DEERWEED PIGMY-LEAF LUPINE STICKY MONKEY FLOWER PURPLE NEEDLE GRASS Plantago MARITIME CHAPARRAL (EAST AND NORTH FACING) SPECIES Achillea millefolium Artemisia califomica Bromus carinatus Gnaphalium californicum Harzardia squarrosa Lasthenia chrysostoma Lotus scoparius Lupinus bicolor Mimulus aurantiacus Nemophilla menziesii Nessella pulchra Plantago insularis Salvia mellifera COMMON NAME YARROW SAGEBRUSH CALIFORNIA BROME CALIF. EVERLASTING SAW-TOOTH GOLDENBUSH GOLD FIELDS DEERWEED PIGMY-LEAF LUPINE STICKY MONKEY FLOWER 95 BABY BLUE EYES PURPLE NEEDLE GRASS Plantago BLACK SAGE 42D TOTAL POUNDS PER ACRE INSTALLATION SPECIFICATIONS Irrigation Overhead irrigation shall be provided for the proposed revegetation areas. The system will be used for seed and plant establishment. Application rates will be gradually reduced as the plantings mature. Irrigation spray heads and nozzles will be selected to match the areas of revegetation and shall be adjusted so as not to over spray adjacent native vegetation. Check valves to prevent low head drainage will be utilized throughout the revegetation areas. The contractor shall provide adequate personnel to operate the system as required for proper seed germination and plant growth. Estimated operating times will be provide by the Landscape Architect. The schedule presented will be an approximate schedule for the application of supplemental water. Adjustment will be required according to actual field conditions, soil moisture and weather. Planting This program is to serve as a guide for revegetation installation. Minor field modification and flexibility must be incorporated into the implementation to achieve the desired goals. Kelly Ranch Core Area Natural Habitat Revegetation Program 10 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I A seed mix type and quantities of container material are given for each planting area. Each area will be reviewed and approved for seeding and planting by the Landscape Architect prior to execution of the work. The actual placement and spacing of container plant materials shall be done in a semi-random, drift type pattern, in the approximate quantities per species indicated above. A grid pattern shall be avoided. The distribution of adjacent, native vegetation shall be used as guideline for plant placement. The Landscape Architect will direct the location of container material within each revegetation site. These planting procedures shall be exercised when planting container stock: 1. Dig plant holes twice as deep and wide as plant container. 2. Fill planting hole with water and allow to percolate into subsoil. 3. Add some non amended (native) backfill soil to hole and place plant so that the top of rootball is 1" higher than the surrounding soil surface. 4. Fill in around plant with non amended soil. 5. Thoroughly water the plants again. Container plants shall be planted just prior to hydroseeding. Plants shall be protected from hydroseed mulch by covering the plants prior to hydroseeding. Hydroseedina After the irrigation installations are completed, site preparation has been completed, and container installation has occurred, hydroseed in the designated areas. All hydroseed materials shall be applied in the quantities specified. Hydroseeding shall be performed only at times when winds are calm. Hydroseeding shall consist of a hydraulic application of a slurry mixture of water, seed, fertilizer, organic soil stabilizer and mulch. Apply the following materials in a one step hydroseed application: 2000 Ibs/acre Cellulose Wood Fiber 160 Ibs/acre Organic Soil Stabilizer, M-Binder or equal 1 GAL/ACRE Nacco Humic Acid Seed mix specified All seed shall be delivered to the project site in sealed containers. All seed shall be labeled according to state and federal laws. Each sealed container shall bear the seed suppliers tags which shall indicate the container weight, seed type (genus and species), seed purity %, seed germination % and date seed tested. Samples of each seed mix may be drawn at the time of delivery to the site by the Landscape Architect. Samples shall be tested to assure compliance with the seed specifications. Fertilizer Fertilizer and soil amendments will be incorporated into the revegetation areas based upon the recommendation of soil testing results as required per City of Carlsbad standards. Thereafter, regular but infrequent light applications of fertilizer may be beneficial. Fertilizer shall be applied as needed as indicated by soils testing. Usually about 4-6 weeks after seeding, or in the spring, a nitrogen deficiency may occur. This is due to frequent (germination phase) irrigations that wash nitrogen from the soil. Kelly Ranch Core Area Natural Habitat Revegetation Program 11 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I Drought tolerant, native species have low nitrogen requirements, approximately 1/5 to 1/8 of the recommended rate of fertilizer should be applied. After the initial fertilization further applications should be based on visual inspections of the plants to determine if and when additional fertilization is necessary. Installation Timing Revegetation will begin with irrigation system installation and adjustment. After the irrigation systems are operational, site preparation including soil preparation shall be performed, followed immediately by container plant installation. Hydroseeding will follow the container installations. The revegetation areas will then be watered until the seed is germinated and established (approximately 120 days.) The precise schedule will vary upon weather, soil conditions and seed germination, and will be adjusted as required by the Landscape Architect. CONSTRUCTION SCHEDULE The schedule presented below is provided as a target schedule for the implementation of the improvements: Irrigation Systems Installed Sept. 1-30 Container Planting Oct. 1 Hydroseed Applied Oct. 15 Germination Period- Moderate Water Applications (30 days)- Nov. 1 - Nov 30. Establishment Period- Low Water Applications (90 days)- October 15- January 15 Re Seed,, if needed January 15 Final Acceptance of Installation (120 days)- February 15 OPINION OF PROBABLE COST The acreage proposed for revegetation, excluding fire suppression revegetation equals 10.24 acres. Installation, initial maintenance, and monitoring costs are provided below. CSS and SMC Revegetation (17.17 acres) descriotion Slope irrigation Revegetation hydroseed Shrubs Maintenance (5 year) Monitorina (5 year) quantitv 747,925 747,925 7,480 747,925 17.17 TOTAL unit S.f. S.f. 1 gal. S.f. acres unit cost 0.25 0.04 5.00 0.05 S3.500 sub-total $186,981 $29,917 $37,400 $37,396 $60.095 $351,789 3.0 ESTABLISHMENT MAINTENANCE Establishment maintenance activities shall be carried out over a period extending from the container planting though the seeding and 120 days afterwards. Kelly Ranch Core Area Natural Habitat Revegetation Program 12 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I Maintenance activities shall include irrigation, fertilization, weeding and plant replacement. Contractor shall provide personnel to operate system in early morning hours and on weekends. IRRIGATION The schedule will be prepared as an approximate schedule for the application of supplemental water. The schedule shall be adjusted as required by field conditions, plant growth and weather, in coordination with the landscape architect. Do not irrigate on days of rain. Irrigation shall begin 24 hours after the hydroseeding is completed. Maintain even moisture on the soil surface at all times. Depending on the weather and soils this may require short duration applications as often as three times per day during warm sunny days. Do not create wet or soggy conditions by over watering. Applications shall be scheduled to occur when there is the least wind. Soil moisture shall be visually checked often so that the irrigation schedule can be adjusted. As the seeds germinate and an even coverage of seedlings (two to three inches in height) is realized, the frequency of irrigation should be gradually reduced and the duration increased. After the establishment stage and when the irrigation frequency has been reduced, infrequent deep irrigation is recommended, By decreasing irrigation frequencies and increasing the cycle duration deep roots are encouraged and overall plants are healthier. To obtain deep water penetration and thoroughly moistened the soil to a depth of one to two feet it may be necessary to cycle the irrigation system several times in one twenty-four hour period. FERTILIZER Fertilizer applications of "Bandini 'Pro-choice1 Nutri-rite" at a rate of 200 IB/acre shall be applied by hand broadcasting 30 to 45 days after the hydroseeding. Additional fertilization may be added at the future direction of the Landscape Architect. WEED ERADICATION Many invasive and exotic weeds have been observed growing on the site and adjacent to the site, these weeds shall be controlled within revegetation areas. The species listed below have been identified as the weed species most likely to invade into native areas. Many weeds can be eradicated by vigilant hand pulling (H). It is essential that these be pulled out and removed from the site on a regular basis before the seeds ripen and drop. The other weeds shall be sprayed or cut and painted with herbicide one or more times to thoroughly kill the roots (S). Herbicides should be used sparingly and only with the advice and supervision of a licensed pest control advisor. Kelly Ranch Core Area Natural Habitat Revegetation Program 13 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I For areas indicated for weed eradication, eradication shall be performed in the following manner: 1. Remove existing grasses either by scraping the surface of the slope with a small tractor or by weed whipping grasses and raking them off the slope. 2. Install irrigation system, apply an all purpose fertilizer, such as 250 Ibs/ac of 16- 6-8 and irrigate the slope for two to four weeks. 3. When weeds and grasses area approximately one to two inches in height, spray with a non selective herbicide. 4. Provide site preparation (including scarification) per installation specifications. 5. Hydroseed and plant container material as specified for the revegetation area. All herbicide applications shall be determined by and performed under the supervision of a licensed pest control advisor. The Landscape Architect shall be notified prior to commencement of weed eradication work to field verify which plants, weeds and others shall be removed. Common Weed Species SPECIES Brassica spp. Raphanus spp. Mesembryanthemum crystallinum Nicotiana glauca Cortaderia spp. Foeniculum vulgare COMMON NAME Mustard Wild Radish Crystal Ice Plant Tree Tobacco Pampas Grass Sweet Fennel METHOD OF ERADICATION H H H S S S INSPECTION AND REPLACEMENTS The Landscape Architect shall visit the site on a regular basis during the revegetation effort to assure that these specifications are complied with. Re-seeding of areas without coverage by the seed mix shall be performed (hand seeding for small areas.) container plants which, in the opinion of the landscape architect, are dead or unhealthy, shall be replaced according to original specifications. INSPECTION SCHEDULE The landscape contractor shall walk the project with the landscape architect or his revegetation consultant weekly during the first month after planting and 2 times per month thereafter until completion of the revegetation establishment. 4.0 MAINTENANCE MONITORING Newly installed revegetation areas are subject to five years of monitoring, including Maintenance Monitoring and Performance Monitoring. This project will employ personnel with previous revegetation monitoring experience to observe, make recommendations, and report project status. The installation contractor will be responsible for maintenance of the installation for a period of at least 120 days, and shall be responsible for delivering to the Owner's representative an installation having 100% container survival and uniform germination Kelly Ranch Core Area Natural Habitat Revegetation Program 14 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I throughout all seeded areas. Upon final acceptance of the contractors installation, a maintenance contractor will be chosen by the Owner to implement the guidelines summarized in this Section. To ensure that the installation is adequately maintained, a revegetation monitor will observe maintenance activities, and make recommendations to the Owner. The revegetation monitor must be a separate source contract with the Owner, and have authority from the Owner to observe all maintenance activities occurring on-site. Maintenance activities will include: irrigation scheduling and monitoring of the irrigation schedule, weed control, trash removal and vandalism control, weed control, erosion control, horticultural recommendations, and replacement of vegetation that fails to meet survival parameters. IRRIGATION Supplemental irrigation will assist plant establishment for the duration required to produce a self-supporting plant community. Irrigation scheduling will be the adjusted per plant cultural requirements by the revegetation monitor in consultation with the maintenance contractor. When it is determined by the revegetation monitor in consultation with the Owner and his representatives that the installation is self-sustaining, written notice will be provided to Permitting Agencies that cessation of supplemental irrigation has commenced. In no case shall irrigation be continued beyond the five year monitoring period. Upon completion of the monitoring phase of the project, the irrigation system will either be dismantled or abandoned. TRASH REMOVAL AND VANDALISM CONTROL Pruning or removal of native vegetation may occur only if approved by the revegetation monitor. Generally dead wood and leaf litter should remain undisturbed and in place on the site. Clippings may be left on site, or removed as deemed undesirable by the revegetation monitor. All weed contaminated clippings must be removed from the property and disposed of at a recognized disposal site. Trash removal must be performed by hand, at least twice a year during the monitoring period. Vandalism of planting, irrigation, and/or other revegetation associated equipment shall be reported in writing by the maintenance contractor and/or other Owner's representatives to the Owner within 3 working days of discovery. WEED CONTROL Weed control activity will occur throughout the duration of the monitoring period. Measures available to the contractor include: hand weeding, clipping, weed whipping/ mowing, herbicide applications, and light exclusion. The goal of weed control is to remove unwanted seed from the site prior to it becoming viable, and to kill invasive weeds that have established on-site using the least environmentally damaging method available to the contractor. All pesticide and herbicides must be applied by a licensed pest control contractor. In the proximity of wetland areas, chemical approved for these areas (i.e. Rodeo, Roundup) may be used as approved by the revegetation monitor. At no time will weed growth of mustard and annual grasses be allowed, unless otherwise directed by the revegetation monitor. Kelly Ranch Core Area Natural Habitat Revegetation Program 15 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I EROSION CONTROL Repair of manufactured slope plantings due to erosion is part of the maintenance responsibility for this plan. The maintenance contractor is required to repair small erosion problems as noticed when they are small, and not to allow them to become major problems. The revegetation monitor will also be required to anticipate erosion damage and to inform the Owner of the need for repair. After repaired, seeding and or container planting of the area as specified by the Owner's representative will occur. HORTICULTURAL RECOMMENDATIONS No fertilizer will be applied by the maintenance contractor unless directed by the revegetation monitor. Various chemical treatments such as hormones, pesticides, fungicides, and herbicides will not be applied unless a severe threat to the installation is imminent, and must first be approved by the revegetation monitor. All minor infestations will be tolerated. REPLACEMENT OF VEGETATION Replacement of missing or poorly performing plants will occur as directed by the revegetation monitor. Plantings specified will have a composition similar to the plant material specified in the original installation, unless previous establishment failures suggest otherwise. Timing of the installation and supplemental irrigation procedures will be determined by the revegetation monitor. If replacement vegetation areas do not cause the plant community evaluation to fall below acceptable final performance standards, no extension to the monitoring and maintenance program is required. 5.0 PERFORMANCE MONITORING This section provides direction for the performance of revegetation monitoring. The revegetation effort will be deemed successful when the performance standards specified in this plan have been met. These standards are designed to anticipate a period when the plantings are self-sustaining and no longer require extensive weed control. This period is anticipated to be five years following planting for Coastal Sage Scrub and Southern Maritime Chaparral. At the time of final acceptance of the contractors installation (scheduled for 120 days after installation), performance monitoring shall commence. During the first year, qualitative monitoring shall occur every three months. For subsequent years, monitoring will occur twice a year. Quantitative data will be collected once each year (between the months of February and May) to precisely determine surviving species numbers, species diversity and composition (native vs. non-native), and species coverage. Qualitative surveys consisting of a general site walkover and characterization of the revegetation sites will take place during each monitoring visit. Monitoring Observation Notes shall be recorded and submitted to the Owner and to Maintenance Contractor during qualitative monitoring site visits. General observations, such as fitness and health of the revegetation species, pest problems, drought stress, will be noted in each site walkover. In the event that any or all of the revegetation plantings should fail to meet the specified requirements, compliance will be ensured by performing either or both of the following Kelly Ranch Core Area Natural Habitat Revegetation Program 16 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I remedial procedures: 1) unsuccessful plantings will be replaced with appropriately sized container stock to meet specified coverage requirements and 2) maintenance procedures will be performed to ensure appropriate site conditions (e.g., non-native species removal). Remedial actions shall be based upon detailed investigations (such as soil tests and excavation of failed plantings to examine root development) to determine causes of failure. Previously documented restoration techniques and maintenance procedures implemented within the revegetation site(s) will also be reviewed and analyzed to determine possible causes of failure. Monitoring results will be recorded and included in yearly status reports to be submitted to the USFWS and the CDFG. The yearly reports will include photographs from designated stations within the revegetation sites to provide a visual assessment of the revegetation progress. The following performance standards will be obtained within all revegetation areas by the end of the fifth year following planting. 1) No greater than 5% of the vegetation cover shall be invasive weed species such as: mustard, artichoke thistle, clovers. The allowable maximum cover of non-native grasses is 20%. 2) The revegetation site does not require regular significant maintenance measures such as replanting of seed or container stock, weed control, or erosion control. 3) A minimum of 65% cover or native coastal sage scrub or southern maritime chaparral species is necessary throughout the revegetation, exclusive of fire suppression. This percentage can be determined as an average of coverage throughout the revegetation. Documentation of the revegetation effort will occur as described below, and culminate in annual reports submitted to USFWS and CDFG for review. MONITORING METHODOLOGY Data collection will occur during regular sampling periods (i.e. quarterly during the first year and bi-yearly thereafter). During regular sampling periods, data collection will consist of a qualitative assessment of the entire site and the collection of quantitative data at permanent sampling locations. At the time of initial plantings, records will be kept of the species planted, quantities of each species planted, types of plantings, and location of plantings. If there is significant deviation in the actual planting form the plan, the location of plantings will be referenced on a map to be compiled by the monitor. This as-built drawing will be developed for use in monitoring efforts. QUALITATIVE DATA Qualitative surveys will consist of a general site walkover and a characterization of the restoration planting. The surveys will take place every three months for the first year and bi-yearly thereafter. General observations, such as fitness and health of the planted species, signs of erosion, and drought stress, will be noted during sampling. Plants will be examined throughout the site in terms of percentage of cover, species mortality, species composition, and soil, weed, and pest problems. Maintenance needs Kelly Ranch Core Area Natural Habitat Revegetation Program 17 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I will be recorded on standard maintenance checklists that will be copied and sent to the maintenance contractor and the project Owner. Yearly summary of qualitative data will be incorporated into the yearly status reports. QUANTITATIVE DATA To augment qualitative data, more precise data will be collected and analyzed to document and evaluate the revegetation program. The following monitoring technique is an example of a recommended approach to vegetation monitoring. Actual site monitoring may no follow this procedure, but will provide data of similar detail. Immediately following revegetation, permanent sampling location will be established within the revegetation areas. Test sampling station will be set up prior to establishment of the permanent sampling stations to verify the suitability of the sampling methodology described herein. Sampling location swill be surveyed once per year between the months of February and July to determine percent cover, species diversity, and percent survival of planted species. Consistent sampling techniques will be used throughout the monitoring process to ensure accurate comparisons. Quantitative plant distribution data will be collected for permanent sampling locations within both the revegetation and preserved CSS / SMC to compare mature CSS / SMC vegetation with newly planted revegetation areas. The line intercept method will be used to obtain data on the percentage of cover of bare ground, leaf litter, and each species present in the understory and shrub layer. The location of each transect will be marked with rebar stakes placed at the start and finish of the transect. In addition, a compass bearing will be recorded for each transect. In the event that one or more of the stakes is removed or lost, the remaining stake, with the compass bearing, will enable the proper realignment of the transect. Meter-square quadrats will be randomly placed along each transect to obtain information on species abundance and density. Photodocumentation stations will be established at each vegetative sampling transect to photograph the progress of the revegetation over a five year period. Photodocumentation will be used in the yearly and the final reports to the submitted to the resource agencies. RECORD KEEPING All records will be kept on file with the revegetation monitor. Data collected during the project will be distributed to the project Owner, USFWS, and CDFG by December of each sampling year. Records of both positive and negative results from both qualitative and quantitative sampling efforts will be incorporated into the yearly status reports to be submitted to resource agencies. In the event that any part of the revegetation should fail to meet the specified requirements, recommendation for corrective measures will be solicited form the USFWS and CDFG so that the revegetation effort can be brought back into compliance as quickly as possible. MONITORING METHODS Vegetation cover and survival of key plant species will be estimated by visual analysis and by transect measurement to confirm visual estimates. The method of transect used to measure revegetation areas may be chosen by the revegetation monitor, provided that collected data is truly representative of the revegetation effort. Kelly Ranch Core Area Natural Habitat Revegetation Program 18 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I Year five measurements must be conducted using either the belt transects or the "Point Intercept" Method of transect measurement, unless another method is approved by the regulatory authority. Each Revegetation Area must provide at least as many measurements as shown on the "Transect Monitoring Location Map". This map will use as its base the as-built construction plans provided by the revegetation contractor and approved by the Landscape architect. ANNUAL REPORTS Annual mitigation maintenance and monitoring reports shall be submitted to the authorized representative of the CA. Department of Fish and Game. Vegetation will be analyzed to report on percentage cover, and dominance of species. Height, spread suckering and growth measurements will also be recorded. Management observations / recommendation shall be made regarding: weed status, irrigation regimen, replacement plantings, and any other issue affecting establishment success. Kelly Ranch Core Area Natural Habitat Revegetation Program 19